CHAPTER 20
Ted knocked on the door to Mikolas’s office.
“Come in,” Mikolas called.
Ted closed the door behind him and took a seat. “I think I have another person to induct into the Order.”
Mikolas looked up from the paperwork on his desk. “This isn’t a good time to be bringing someone in when we still haven’t gotten a grasp on the Pamela situation yet.”
“I know, and I’m not suggesting you do it tomorrow, but I think you should consider him.”
Mikolas leaned back into his chair. “All right.”
“His name is Kevin. He’s an older guy, a friend of my dad’s, but he’s in amazing shape physically. My dad was a boy when they met, but they lost touch over the years. I’ve been out with him a few times now, but yesterday we visited the new mythologies of the world exhibit at the museum of man. Turns out he’s a Greek mythology buff. He knew more about the Titans than I did. He’s decided to stay in Crystal City, and I think he could make us stronger.”
Mikolas rubbed his hand down his face. “You didn’t talk about the Order, did you?”
“Of course not.” Ted frowned, bristling at the question. “But if we brought him in, he might be able to help us figure out who or what Pamela really is. He could be an asset.”
Mikolas pondered his words for a moment before picking up his pen. “I need to finish up the work to get the hit-and-run case dropped before I can focus on inducting a new member into the Order.”
Ted shifted in his chair. “All right. But then I’d like to arrange a meeting for you.”
“Fine, fine.” Mikolas waved a dismissive hand. “In the meantime, find out his background and why he’s suddenly settling in Crystal City.”
“Will do.” Ted stood and went to the door. Before he left, though, he looked back, for once not experiencing the surge of rage at seeing the Greek in his father’s old office. “Thanks for keeping up your end of the deal with the hit-and-run.”
Mikolas nodded, lifting his gaze. “I’m counting on you to keep yours and get the information on Pamela.”
“I’m working on it.”
Ted walked out of the office to the elevator. Inside, he checked his watch. He was working on the Pamela situation.
But he left out how.
As he walked to his car, he glanced up at the Belkin Oil building. It wasn’t so long ago that he believed the only way to free Kronos was by killing the muses. It shocked him how quickly everything had changed.
He had lied to Mikolas about one thing.
Kevin already knew about the Order of the Titans, and he would do anything to get involved.
Even help Ted discover Pamela’s secrets.
In fact, Kevin was eager to help.
Cooper planted his feet on the cool tile floor and gripped the railings of the hospital bed. He was going home today. He passed every cognitive and physical test that any of the neurologists and occupational therapists could come up.
Lia had come by to visit every day, and she brought his grandmother over a few times, too. Somehow, even while being trapped in the hospital, Lia had managed to make him laugh and lighten his spirit. She’d also discovered something about his grandmother that he’d never known.
The matriarch of his family was a muse. Which made him wonder if that was why he’d been chosen as a Guardian. He’d have to ask Apollo next time he saw him.
Cooper put on his pants and chuckled to himself. He was in no rush to face a god again.
After he was dressed, he sat in the chair, happy to be out of the damned bed. The breakfast of dried-out scrambled eggs would be his last meal at the hospital. His stomach growled its approval.
Someone knocked on the door, and he looked up to see Lia. Her grin lit up the room. “You’re out of bed.”
He stood and opened his arms. “Hope you’re here to spring me from this prison and feed me some real food.”
“You know it.” She crossed the room and held him tight.
He kissed her hair, breathing her into his lungs. He was so damned lucky.
“I didn’t come alone.”
He pulled back, raising a brow. “What?”
“I brought your grandmother, and she has company.”
Before he could ask, his grandmother came in the door. He embraced her, and she patted his chest as she stepped back. “You gave me a scare, Coop.”
“Sorry about that,” he said. “But I’m better now.”
His grandmother looked up at him with a hopeful smile. “I wasn’t the only one afraid.”
His mother came through the door, followed by his dad. Cooper tensed, his gaze connecting with Lia’s on the other side of the room. She had warned him that his grandmother brought company, and the apologetic look on her face said she didn’t have anything to do with this unexpected meeting.
“Hi, Coop.” His mom looked older than he’d remembered. Hell, he hadn’t seen her in almost ten years.
“Mom.” His attention shifted to his father. “Dad.”
His grandmother hooked her cane on the bed and looked at her broken family. “Before anyone steps out of this room, I want to tell you something. We’ve all suffered. All of us. Losing Sarah still hurts, but we’ll never heal unless we face this head-on together.”
Cooper held his breath, relieved to see Lia moving around the edge of the room, coming closer to him.
His grandmother stared at Cooper’s dad. “You still have a son, and we almost lost him, too. This was the second time we almost lost him, in fact. We’re lucky we’re getting a chance to make things right.”
His dad stood behind his mother, running his hands up and down his mom’s arms, his gaze landing on Cooper. His voice was soft but steady. “I’m not sure where to begin.”
Lia stood at Cooper’s side and took his hand. He laced his fingers with hers, binding them together in the face of uncertainty. Conflicting emotions bubbled inside him. Anger, hurt, and yearning all blended together, leaving him tongue-tied and uneasy.
“Well, I’m Lia,” she said, starting them off. She smiled at his folks. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
His mother focused on Lia, and Cooper held his breath. He wasn’t sure how to move forward, but there wouldn’t be any chance of reconciliation if they didn’t accept her. That much he was sure of.
Tears shone in his mother’s eyes. “Agnes tells me you stayed by Cooper’s side until he woke up. Thank you for that.”
Lia squeezed his hand. “Hopefully he’s gotten hospital stays out of his system. I’d be happy never sleeping in one of those chairs again.”
“Thank you.” His mom almost smiled as she looked up at Cooper. “I’m sorry, Coop. For everything. I shouldn’t have let so much time slip away.”
Cooper’s heart pounded in his ears. “I still miss her, too, Mom.”
“I know.” She wiped away a single tear before it could roll down her cheek. “I was wrong to push you away. It hurt so much. I needed someone to blame. I’m so ashamed I chose you. I hope it’s not too late.”
He shook his head, and his voice softened. “Maybe we can start over.”
“I’d like that.” She sniffled.
He released Lia’s hand, and for the first time since Sarah’s death, he embraced his mom. His grandmother smiled at him as his mother sobbed quietly against his chest. He closed his eyes, gratitude swelling his heart.
His mom slowly pulled away and looked up at him. “I love you, Cooper. Can you forgive me?”
Could he? For years, he’d carried the guilt for his sister’s death, and this woman had placed it there, squarely between his shoulders.
His dad came up beside his mom, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry, too. You deserved so much better than what we gave you.” A muscle clenched in his cheek. “I wish we could go back and do things differently.”
Cooper reached for Lia’s hand again. He met her beautiful, smoky eyes, drinking in the love and acceptance he found in them. He’d never been happier. Why sully it by carrying a grudge? Anger, resentment, and guilt were never going to change anything. Sarah would still be gone.
He turned to his parents and didn’t try to bury the smile creeping up on him. “We can’t go back, but we can move forward.” He squeezed Lia’s hand. “Maybe we could start with some food?”
“Mmm, I just love the hospital cafeteria,” Lia teased.
“No.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “How about pizza?” He glanced at his folks and his grandmother. “Will you join us?”
His dad finally smiled and came over to give Cooper a tight hug. “We’d love to.” He stepped back. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
After dinner, when he finally had Lia alone in her car, he leaned over to kiss her long and slow. She hummed into his mouth and smiled.
“I’ve missed you,” she said.
“Same here.”
Her expression softened. “Sorry about the surprise visit from your parents. Agnes was adamant that they come see you today.”
“It was definitely a shock, but maybe it was the only way to make everyone talk.” He ran his fingers along the bottom of her jaw, memorizing every angle of her face. “Thanks for being there. It helped to have you at my side.”
She grinned, nuzzling into his touch. “I love you. I’ll always be there when you need me.”
He smiled. “How did I get so damned lucky?”
She kissed him again, then looked at him with a twinkle in her eyes. “We’ll see if you’re still saying that after you meet my family.”
He raised a brow. “You say that like it’s happening soon.”
“I’m actually working on getting my mom to come out west to visit.” She started the car. “Probably best to take my family in small waves.”
Cooper laughed as she pulled out of the parking garage. They just shared a pizza with his parents. If anyone had told him a few weeks ago that this day would happen, he never would have believed it.
But that was before Lia Youlos came into his life.
Lia had lured him back into the light with love and laughter, and he’d spend the rest of his life cherishing her and protecting her with all his being.
Once they got back to his place, she followed him into his apartment and sat at the table. He dropped his duffel bag in the bedroom and came to sit beside her.
He took her hand. “I hope this doesn’t seem too crazy, but I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life…”
“I’m usually a fan of crazy.” She grinned, boosting his confidence.
“Move in with me.” She didn’t say anything, so he quickly filled in the silence. “I love you, and if I’ve learned anything from my recent encounters with Apollo, it’s that the future isn’t a given. And I want to spend as much time as possible with you.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re serious?”
“Dead serious.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Too soon.”
“Sorry.” He chuckled. “But the offer is still on the table.”
Lia stared into Cooper’s blue eyes as she weighed the pros and cons. Her heart was staunchly behind his plan, but her head was already thinking of ways to explain it to her mother. She could lead with trying out a great new hippie cult, and instead of joining, she moved in with the paramedic who would someday be a doctor.
“You’re making me nervous.” Cooper ran his thumb across her knuckles, squeezing her hand. “I warned you it was crazy.”
“No, it’s not that. I’d love to move in.” Except her voice sounded anything but happy.
Confusion lined his brow. “So, you’re saying yes?”
“It’s a little complicated.” She shook her head. “It’s silly. I’m a grown woman in the twenty-first century, but there’s part of me that still wants to please my parents. They’re on the traditional side, so if I don’t want my mom on our doorstep dragging me out by my ear, I need to pitch it correctly.”
“It’s not silly. Let me see your phone.” He wiggled his fingers at her.
She raised a brow. “Why?”
“I want to talk to your mom.”
Lia laughed so hard, she snorted. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”
“Nope.” He leaned in to kiss her as he frisked her pockets and stole her phone.
She squeaked, struggling to regain control of her cell. She even resorted to tickling, but no dice. “Cooper! She’ll freak.”
“Give me a little credit. I can do this.”
“All right.” She crossed her arms and let him keep the phone. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
He pressed “Call” when he found her mom in her address book. Lia’s pulse was racing. Cooper merely smiled at her as her mom answered.
“Lia?”
“Mrs. Youlos? Hello,” he said. “This is actually Cooper.”
“Cooper? Are you the hero from the fire?” Her mother projected her voice as if they were talking into soup cans with a string tied between them instead of smartphones. Cooper quickly learned to keep a protective distance from the phone to his ear, making it easier for Lia to eavesdrop.
“Yeah, I was called to the fire that day.”
“Thank you for saving my baby girl.” She paused. “Why are you calling me?”
He stared into Lia’s eyes as he answered. “Because I’m in love with your daughter.”
Her mother made a sound that seemed to be a combination of a scream and a whoop. Thank the gods Cooper didn’t still have the phone pressed to his ear. “And she likes you, too?”
He nodded, caressing Lia’s cheek. “I think so. She’s brought so much light into my life and my family. I can’t stop smiling, and I hope I can meet you soon.”
“Lia’s been trying to get me to come to California, but maybe you both could come here. Chicago is beautiful at Christmastime, and we can always make room around the table for the man who loves my daughter.”
Her mother rambled on about Christmas traditions as Lia snuggled into Cooper’s chest. He wrapped his arm around her, stealing a kiss.
“Cooper?” her mom asked.
“Yes, ma’am?”
Her mom giggled. Giggled. Lia couldn’t believe it.
“I’m glad you called,” her mom said.
“Me too, Mrs. Youlos.” He paused, his eyes on Lia’s. “I also asked Lia to move in with me.”
Silence. Oh shit. Lia held her breath.
Finally, her mom replied, “Are you going to tell me what she said?”
“She said she didn’t want to upset her mother.” Lia mouthed to Cooper about the cult, and he chuckled, adding, “And to remind you at least she didn’t join a hippie cult.”
Her mom’s voice softened. “Can I talk to Lia?”
Oh, here it comes. Greek-style guilt. Big-time.
She took her phone from Cooper. “Hi, Mom.”
“Baby, do you love this boy?”
Lia smiled at Cooper and nodded. “With all my heart, Mom.”
“Good.” She went back to her normal volume. “Now how could you think you would ever disappoint me, Lia? All I want is for my daughter to be happy.” She paused. “But if you join a hippie cult, I’ll take a Greyhound bus out there and drag you home myself. Understood?”
“So you’re not freaked out that I’m not married?”
“Oh please, Lia. Your cousin Abby just moved in with her boyfriend, and your little brother is looking for a place with his girlfriend. I know the world isn’t simple. I’m not as old and out of touch as you think I am.”
Lia was eating up Cooper’s grin. “Then I guess I’m moving in.”
“Good,” her mom said. “Now put Cooper back on the phone.”
“Okay. I love you, Mom.” Lia handed the phone to him.
“Hello, Mrs. Youlos.”
“You’ve saved my daughter’s life, and she loves you,” she said, “so I love you, too. And my lambs don’t call me Mrs. Youlos, they call me ‘Mom’.”
Cooper rubbed his forehead, sneaking in a man-pinch of the bridge of his nose. “All right, Mom.”
“Better. Take good care of my baby and bring her home soon so I can hug and kiss you both.”
“As soon as we can.”
They said their good-byes, and he handed Lia her phone. “Hope that was okay. I didn’t want you to move in if you had to lie.”
She set her phone on the table and grabbed his hand, pulling him out of the chair. Staring up into his eyes, she whispered, “Thank you. I love you so much more than I ever realized I could love anyone.” She slid her hand up to cover his heart. “And you’re a brave man.”
Cooper laughed. “Nah. Your mom is sweet.”
“So you think.” Lia rolled her eyes. “Don’t ever bring me home late.”
“No worries.” He bent to kiss her lips. “We’re already home.”
She rose on her toes, kissing him again as she wrapped her arms around his neck. When the other muses had found their Guardians, she couldn’t help wondering what the gods had in store for her, but never in a million years had she imagined they would send her such an honorable, kind, and sexy man.
She’d been drawn to the broody paramedic after the fire. Curious, maybe. But seeing him transform and find his smile again had been a beautiful gift. Cooper was the perfect yin to her yang.
Whatever the future held, they’d love and laugh their way through it together.
She had no doubt about it.
THE END